Free-will Determinism

• What are the key components of free will and determinism in psychology?

  • Free will: The belief that individuals can make choices and are not determined by external forces.
  • Determinism: The view that behavior is shaped by internal or external forces beyond individual control.
  • Types of determinism: Hard determinism, soft determinism, biological determinism, environmental determinism, psychic determinism.
• What is hard determinism?

  Hard determinism is the belief that all behavior is determined by internal and external factors, leaving no room for free will.
• What approach could be described as soft determinism?

  The cognitive approach, which suggests that behavior is influenced by both free will and determinism
• What is soft determinism?


  Soft determinism is the belief that while behavior is determined by causes, individuals still have the ability to make choices.
• What is the scientific emphasis on causal explanations in psychology?

  It focuses on understanding the causes behind behaviors and mental processes
• What is biological determinism?

  Biological determinism is the belief that behavior is determined by genetic, hormonal, and evolutionary influences.
• What are the implications of using genes as a legal defense in court?

  It raises questions about criminal responsibility and the nature of free will
• What is environmental determinism?

  Environmental determinism is the belief that behavior is shaped by environmental factors such as rewards and punishments.
• What are the key arguments for and against determinism and free will?

  Arguments for Determinism:

  • Behavior is influenced by biological, environmental, and psychic factors.

  
  

  Arguments against Determinism:

  • Humans have the ability to make choices and exercise free will.
• What does hard determinism assume about behavior?

  It assumes that free will does not play a part in behavior
• What is soft determinism?

  A view that suggests behavior is influenced by both determinism and free will
• What is psychic determinism?

  Psychic determinism is the belief that behavior is caused by unconscious conflicts and suppressed childhood trauma.
• What are the three types of determinism?

  Biological, environmental, and psychic determinism
• How do drug treatments for OCD and schizophrenia illustrate hard determinism?

  They show that behavior can be managed through biological interventions, suggesting a lack of free will
• How do cognitive explanations of behavior illustrate soft determinism?

  They suggest that cognitive patterns predispose individuals to certain behaviors without directly causing them
• What is a strength of the free will approach in psychology?

  It has face validity, as people generally believe they can make choices
• What is a limitation of the free will approach?

  There is strong psychological evidence supporting deterministic views
• How can the illusion of free will impact mental health?

  It can create healthier mindsets and improve mental well-being
• How does the scientific emphasis on causal explanations relate to psychological research?


  It emphasizes that every event has a cause that can be explained through controlled experimentation.
• What is the relationship between an internal locus of control and mental health?

  Individuals with an internal locus of control tend to be more mentally healthy
• What is the risk associated with a strong belief in fatalism among adolescents?

  It is associated with a greater risk of developing depression
• What is the role of control in causal explanations?

  Control allows researchers to isolate the independent variable and determine its effect on the dependent variable.
• What are the arguments for and against determinism and free will?

  Arguments for determinism:

  • Behavior is influenced by biological, environmental, and psychic factors.
  • Supports scientific explanations and predictability.

  
  

  Arguments against determinism:

  • Individuals can exercise free will and make choices.
  • Ethical implications of blaming behavior on determinism.
• What are the key terms related to free will and determinism?

  • Free will
  • Determinism
  • Hard determinism
  • Soft determinism
  • Biological determinism
  • Environmental determinism
  • Psychic determinism
  • Causal explanations